Facial aging is the reflection of the dynamic and cumulative effects of time and environment on the skin as well as on the soft tissues and deep structural components of the face. It’s a natural process that we all wish could be a little gentler and perhaps a little slower. If you feel like your face is easily giving away your age, a new study has revealed that facial cosmetic surgery, and more particularly the face-lift, neck-lift and eyelid surgery, can help with perceived age change.
Complex Challenges of Aging
Men and women are motivated to undergo cosmetic surgery for a myriad of reasons. According to a research study by Mike Featherstone, aging in women can come with a variety of psychological consequences that may include feelings of loss of femininity, loss of sexual identity, as well as a loss of social power and visibility.
The feelings may be different for men. Aging can make men feel more competitive in the job market and less able to carry out public roles properly. Whatever the motivation for seeking cosmetic surgery, the aging process can significantly affect an individual’s self-perception or cause self-dissatisfaction.
Eyelid Surgery and Face-Lifts
Face-lift or neck-lift, along with eyelid surgery, are among the most common cosmetic surgery procedures for the aging face. In the research by Chauhan et al., both face-lift and neck-lift were shown to quickly reduce an individual’s perceived age by as much as 5.7 years. Complementing this with a further upper-eyelid or lower-eyelid surgery will further decrease the perceived age by 1.8 years!
Dr. Mayli Davis of the Advanced Eyelid Surgery Center in Colleyville, Fort Worth, Texas, applauded the research for shedding more light on the benefits of facial cosmetic surgery. Davis added that the changes in most cases could transcend just appearing more youthful but also make the patient look more attractive and successful as well as healthier.
“Patients undergoing these procedures often report a decrease in self-dissatisfaction and an improved sense of well-being and confidence,” she said.
Davis prefers that eyelid surgery and similar cosmetic procedures be viewed as not only cosmetic, but also therapeutic, considering the vast benefits these procedures may have on an individual’s self-esteem, confidence and quality of life.
Davis is a board-certified ophthalmologist offering top-of-the-range eyelid surgery, skin rejuvenation and other cosmetic procedures. She practices at the Advanced Eyelid Surgery Center in Colleyville, Fort Worth, Texas.
